Sublime. That’s how Mme de la Rivière described it, and I can find no better word for it. The dinner cruise, the scenery, the last two weeks – all of it was simply sublime. As my first trip to Paris, I was completely entranced by the life we led as Parisians for a very short fortnight. And now, at the culmination of our trip, on the river, with no impinging annoyance of MIT life, and in the company of those with whom I enjoyed one of the best times of my life, I began to realize how lucky I was to have been part of JSF 2006.
From the day I received the good news, I knew that I was one of a lucky few that had been chosen from many candidates, but it took me a full two weeks to show me how undeniably rare this opportunity was. Every day was filled with something new to see, taste, or experience, and there was no day that I did not feel grateful for being immersed in spectacular Paris. And tonight, as we walked before the Eiffel Tower on our way to the cruise, I couldn’t help but feel sad to think about leaving this city, right when 
I was starting to feel so at ease in it. But it was also during this last night that I grew conscious of how much more I had yet to explore. As the boat passed monuments and buildings I had not seen or been to yet, I knew I would have to come back to relive our time in this great city. For Paris, with its lights, smells, tastes, and beautiful tongue, will always be calling for our return.Our sincere thanks to the Anonymous Donors for this great opportunity.
Merci bien du coeur,
JSF 2006
January 17, 2006
Farewell, et à bientôt
